Chapter 3 CAUGHT IN THE GLAMOUR

As I followed her, I paused briefly before realizing that a sea of exquisite white flowers was hanging carelessly on the walls.

Roses spiraled over them, the tile floor glistened, and the suit's many mirrors mirrored their charm.

This outfit was covered with glowing torches that oozed power over the garish ornamentation.

Fleet-like curtains flowed down the impending walls in shades of white and yellow.

The most bizarre of all was a swarm of pink balloons that filled the space, creating a singularly captivating attraction.

"Ah! Oh my god, what happened to your bridal gown and makeup?"

I glanced at a girl wearing a sky-blue gown with handles. She approached me closely enough to have her stunning high bun catch my eye.

She put her hands over my face and pursed her lips.

As I examined her dark eyes, hail cascaded down her cheeks and saturated my chest.

How come they were treating me like Katerina?

"Emily, don't waste any more time on this nonsense. The fact that we found her is what matters most. My presumed grandma exclaimed, "Go get her ready before the next hour," and grabbed her phone from a sofa close by.

My tears were wiped away by Emily's hand that rushed to my eyes.

She kissed my redemptive cheeks and grinned, flashing her gorgeous dimple.

Hey, this is a day you won't regret. Emily! Do Katerina's hair and makeup. Her new bridal gown is en route to this location."

"Ma'am, consider it finished.

She drew me into a little compartment of the suit by tangling my hand with hers.

There was a big Princess mirror on the wall of the cubicle.

A white French-cushioned chair, large yet respectable, was nestled within a polished brown floral slab.

As I broke down in a stranger's arms, the reality of who I was stopped dead in its tracks.

No matter what I said, there was no going back since they all assumed I was their Katerina.

"Sit down and let's apply cosmetics again. Please stop sobbing so I can make your gorgeous face seem better. She took the chair out for me and made me take a seat.

What swept over them all?

Might they represent a new breed of psychopaths?

Was someone playing a joke here?

Was Ella involved in any of this?

Were they just using Katerina's absence as an excuse to force me to marry someone I didn't know?

I could see that all of my notions were far from reality by the serious expressions on their faces and the amount of effort they put into the preparations.

"Girl, what happened? How were you discovered by them?"

I was set free from my thoughts by Emily's comments.

She spoke a bit too loudly, but not loudly enough for her grandmother to hear her.

How?

Was Emily aware of Katerina's misadventure?

What was happening in this situation?

I was confused by these questions.

At her words, my tears stopped, and I widened my eyes, ready for her to continue.

She moved my chair over to her desk and dumped her beauty kit.

Tell me you didn't tell her that I assisted you in getting away, please. If she finds out, she's going to murder me. I've already been threatened by her. Did you tell her, wait?"

She was terrified at every step, staring directly into my eyes.

She helped Katerina escape, but why?

Who was she?

Why did she allow this to happen?

My life was about to be irrevocably damaged because of Katerina and her.

I could not allow this to happen.

"Answer me, girl. Have you told her?

"No, I didn't tell her, you are safe."

"Hallelujah, hallelujah," she said as she gave a heart-shaped embrace to her breast. "You did well... hallelujah."

My mind began to fill with possibilities as she continued to speak.

Emily could be my way out of this situation.

She could get me out of here and use her powers once again if she helped Katerina.

"You have to help me out of here."

She got up and started to go about the room, checking on Grandma's whereabouts as I bit the inside of my lip.

"Once more? Katerina, we made a deal, and I've fulfilled my end of the bargain. How do you think I'll be able to assist you in leaving again?"

She nibbled on her long, manicured nails.

"My only hope is in you. Please, you can still help me get out of here; you proved yourself once, therefore I have no doubt you can do it again."

With tears in my eyes, I dropped to my knees and tucked her robe.

Whether or not she had a deal with Katerina didn't matter to me; all I ever wanted was for her to save me from this drama, even if it meant disclosing my true identity to her.

I was helped to my feet by her holding my hands. "Katerina, stop this. I will do my hardest to keep you safe from Nicholas since I owe you a lot. However, you must swear to me that you will follow my instructions exactly this time." She wiped the tears from my eyes.

She then gave me a fresh napkin, which I used to wipe my runny nose and dry my wet eyes.

Later, she hugged me, and I lay down in her arms. "I swear," I said, nodding.

I used my last bit of power to wrinkle the fabric of her dress.

"What is the plan?" As we braked Ringer, I asked.

"I'm a decent girl, curiosity; this is a surprise. She giggled, "Now, let's get you ready," and she pushed me to sit on the cushion.

There was no time to question what she said.

I could believe her words if she helped Katerina just once. I grinned and let out a puff of breath. To help Emily with my clothing and manicure, GRANDMA BROUGHT IN THREE girls.

She was often griping about time wasted and other little things that she noticed. "Emily, Katerina's hair is still not done?"

Emily said, "Katerina is all set, ma'am," and laid the last of the pins she was holding down on the table.

She approached me with a mirror, and I was astounded by my transformation.

One of the ladies said, "Oh my goodness, this is the best chignon I have seen in my entire life."

"What do you think?" Emily gave me a shoulder squeeze.

Nothing could be spoken or a word to praise her efforts.

I couldn't stop talking about the hair and cosmetics.

It was my first time using makeup this pricey and vibrant.

Your emerald eyes pop with the black makeup and eyeliner, which is fantastic, my darling. The red lipstick looks flawless against your complexion. She almost shed a tear as she said, "You are so lovely.

My glance did blow my head.

Makeup exuded a sense of beauty and emotion that could elevate any woman to her highest potential.

I was not the person in the mirror; I was someone else, and I was different.

What happened to my face?

"Look who's here," Emily said, shattering the stillness that persisted in our fog.

I twisted my gaze from the glass to her, then settled on the spotless white material that twirled on a stand beside the compartment's door.

The lace fabric of the handles glinted with white pearls.

Not to mention the translucent gown at the level of the curves, the veil had this diamond crown affixed to it that gleamed from a distance.

It was a bridal gown fit for a princess from one of these hit Disney productions.

"Wow," was my final response before the girls helped me get dressed.

My feet were placed into the five-inch silver stiletto heels that matched the dress after they had buttoned the garment down to my waist.

"Emily, where is the bouquet?" When Grandma couldn't locate it, she became frightened.

A girl burst into the room with a bouquet of red, white, purple, and yellow petals, saying, "This is where I found it."

The hues were exquisite and endearing.

I walked down the hotel's main door, clutching the bouquet and forcing a grin.

The crimson carpet that led to a tastefully adorned white vehicle was where the veil flowed behind me.